FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES:
Our staff meets with households requesting assistance with food, shelter, utilities, and other urgent needs. Based on our assessment, we may provide a food pantry, direct financial assistance for rent, utilities, etc., as well as budgeting and household management information, and/or referrals to alternative agencies or services based on client need. Additionally, one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable employment is the lack of safe and reliable transportation. CSS receives, repairs, and donates vehicles to those in need.

FOOD RECOVERY & REDISTRIBUTION PROGRAM:
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska in Hastings is proud to be an Enabled Partner with Food Bank for the Heartland. Enabled Partners are responsible for the pick-up and distribution of recovery food from select grocery stores. Our staff recovers perishable and nonperishable items from two Walmart locations and Sam's Club in Grand Island and from the Hastings Walmart. This food is then redistributed on a weekly basis to the public, at Crossroads, and at food pantries in the four-county area and beyond. Last year, we redistributed 200 TONS of food in Fairfield, Hastings, Glenvil, Superior, Red Cloud, Franklin, Alma, Oxford, Minden, Curtis, Culbertson, and Arapahoe.

SACK LUNCH PROGRAM:
The Sack Lunch Program is a collaborative effort with Open Table and more than 25 agencies, local churches, and organizations from the Hastings area. Sack lunches are prepared and distributed daily from our office. Any individual may request a lunch, no questions asked. Last year, more than 31,500 sack lunches were distributed to the homeless and working poor from our downtown office!

ST. GIANNA PROGRAM:
The St. Gianna Program provides financial assistance and case management services to women escaping domestic violence and/or experiencing under-supported pregnancies. In working with our case manager, clients are able to identify areas within their own lives that need support and improvement, such as writing a safety plan, establishing financial independence away from their abuser, and finding permanent, safe, and affordable housing.

ST. JOSEPH GIFT & THRIFT STORE:
Our sorted, clean, and organized Gift & Thrift store is another way CSS brings "Hope in the Good Life" while elevating the dignity of the person. Individuals who cannot afford items in our store can apply to receive items for free through our Family Support Services program. The sales of store goods and recycled items pay for our staff and overhead costs. All of the merchandise in our stores has been donated by generous supporters in our community.

VOLUNTEERS:
Our dedicated and hard-working volunteers help us stock the shelves of the food pantry, distribute sack lunches to the homeless and working poor, or assist us with our food recovery and redistribution program. Additional areas of service include St. Joseph Gift & Thrift Store, baling our surplus clothing items for our recycling program, and general administrative support. Our mission is about service to one another, including the disabled, the aged, the vulnerable, and the poor among us. Our volunteers help us fulfill our mission.